Online Associate of Arts in Business Administration (AA)
Build a solid foundation in business fundamentals ranging from management principles to marketing strategies. This associate degree program at American Public University (APU) sharpens your problem-solving skills to prepare you to support operations in today's business environments.
Program Overview
Gain career-relevant business knowledge in basic finance, management, marketing, and supervision. APU’s Associate of Arts in Business Administration program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP®)1.
Coursework provides a strong foundation of essential business skills. Students become familiar with practices like developing financial goals and managing budgets. They’ll also apply critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills to support diverse business environments.
Assignments integrate the entire Microsoft 3652 to provide learners with hands-on experience using digital tools. Courses also explore how machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping business operations. Students discuss the opportunities and challenges these tools bring to the business landscape.
Learners can tailor their studies to their unique interests, as well. This online Associate of Arts program includes electives in human resources, hospitality, healthcare administration, and retail management, among other functional areas. Students learn from expert faculty, some of whom have experience from Fortune 500 companies, as they gain insights into organizational leadership strategies.
ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Gain a Career-Relevant Education in Business Administration
This online business degree program is designed to provide the rudimentary skills needed to support a profitable organization. Coursework familiarizes students with the basic strategies business leaders apply every day to make informed decisions.
You will:
- Apply oral and written communication skills to basic accounting, economics, management, and marketing functions
- Discuss basic business principles and operations, including management, marketing, and finance
- Apply critical-thinking, problem-solving, and team-building skills in a business management environment
- Learn about basic tools for managing in organizational settings
- Develop fundamental knowledge of both individual and organizational behavior
This online program introduces students to business fundamentals while highlighting the importance of soft skills. Courses cover everything from effective communication methods to best practices for ethical decision-making. Students also explore how organizational leaders apply their knowledge of finance, management, and marketing concepts to run efficient operations.
Graduates may consider potential career opportunities as:
- Administrative assistants/office support specialists, who coordinate office operations, manage scheduling, and support communications across teams
- Customer service representatives, who interact with clients, manage service inquiries, and strengthen customer relationships
- Sales support/business development assistants, who assist with client acquisition and support marketing objectives
- Small business assistants/entrepreneurial support roles, who support the daily operations of startups or small businesses
This Associate of Arts in Business Administration helps students build career-relevant skills as they discuss how the concepts they study apply to real-world scenarios. Coursework also emphasizes critical thinking to equip learners with analytical capabilities.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of finance, accounting, marketing, and management
- Apply problem-solving skills to evaluate business scenarios
- Utilize technology and information systems to inform business decisions and enhance operational efficiency
- Communicate effectively in written and oral contexts
- Demonstrate teamwork and collaboration in diverse business settings
- Engage in ethical decision-making to support business operations
Browse Online Courses for APU’s Associate Degree Program in Business Administration
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Students will explore consumer motivation and the processes behind the diffusion and adoption of new goods and services. Additionally, students will engage with a practical component, reviewing the key elements of a marketing plan, including market segmentation, branding, and integrated marketing communications, to understand how these factors work together in marketing strategy.
All Course Requirements for Business Administration
Explore Networking Opportunities While You Pursue Your Associate Degree Online
APU’s student organizations enable you to connect with faculty and peers from across the globe. Expand your network and explore new professional opportunities through clubs like APU’s Retail Management Student Organization, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®) chapter6, or the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.
Learn more about student clubs and other activities you can participate in when you pursue your business degree online at APU.
Signature Skills: A Learning Revolution
Integrated into our student curriculum, these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence. The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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Encouraging students to use current technologies, critically evaluate emerging tools, and responsibly engage with digital and AI systems.
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Strengthening the ability in all students to analyze information objectively, question assumptions, explore alternatives, and develop skills essential for navigating continual change.
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Helping students thrive in dynamic workplaces by reinforcing adaptability, resilience, innovation, and self-awareness.
Welcome to a learning revolution.
APUS signature skills.
Digital literacy, critical thinking, a growth mindset entwine themselves around the student journey.
They’re in everything we do!
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Meant to inform our approach to you, and your ability to thrive beyond the classroom,
these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence.
The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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APU is here to support your student journey
We know your well-being is vital to your success. That's why we offer a range of supportive resources to help you throughout your academic journey.
- Career Coaching
- 24/7 Mental Health Support
- Admissions & Advising Support
- Student Life
Career Coaching
Get individualized guidance to help you explore career options, strengthen professional skills, and prepare for the next step in your journey. Whether you’re just entering the workforce, changing fields, or advancing your professional knowledge, our career services team is here to help you translate your goals into action.
Learn More24/7 Mental Health Support
Your well-being is essential to your success. That’s why APU offers access to confidential, flexible, and around-the-clock mental health support. Through our partnerships with telehealth apps, you can connect with peers and professionals anytime you need to manage stress, maintain balance, or find motivation.
Learn MoreAdmissions & Advising Support
From your first course to the day you graduate, our admissions and advising teams are here to guide you every step of the way. You’ll receive personalized assistance with enrollment, program selection, and degree planning from professionals who understand the needs of adult learners.
Learn MoreStudent Life
At APU, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Enrich your college experience and expand your network by getting involved in any of our student organizations. From cultural and social organizations to program-specific honor societies, you’ll find a group to help you thrive during and after your studies.
Learn MoreAPU’s Online Business Administration Program Provides an Affordable Education
American Public University prides itself on value, offering high-quality education and quality academic programs with low-cost tuition rates.
In keeping with a focus on value, this business administration program combines an affordable cost per credit hour with generous transfer credit opportunities. Your real-world experience and prior education may also count as college credit and help you save time completing your studies. Learn more about how to maximize transfer credits at APU.
- $0 Application Fee
- $0 Textbooks & Ebooks
- $0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
Earning a degree is a valuable investment, but it needs to fit into your budget. Our tuition estimator can help you estimate your tuition and fees, so you can plan a manageable path to your educational goals. For full details, please refer to the financial aid cost of attendance (COA). This estimate does not include course materials, supplies, equipment, software and other expenses such as lab fees. You may be eligible for partnership grants through your employer. Speak with your admissions representative for more details.
Standard Rate for undergraduate programs.
The Preferred Military Rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and their families.7
APU Removes Barriers
Quality Education Shouldn’t Break the Bank
We offer special rates and grants for eligible students and limit fees to help keep the cost of higher education within reach. Find out how you can save on tuition expenses with our:
- Transfer Credits
- Financial Aid
- Private Loans & Scholarships
- Military & Veteran Benefits
Transfer Credits
APU makes it easy to earn credit for the work you’ve already done. We accept transfer credits from prior college coursework, professional training, exams, and certifications. We’ll evaluate your transcripts at no cost and help you maximize eligible credits so you can save time, reduce costs, and stay focused on reaching your education goals sooner.
Learn MoreFinancial Aid
We’re committed to making quality education accessible and affordable. APU participates in federal financial aid programs, including grants and loans for those who qualify. Our Financial Aid Office can provide personalized guidance to help you understand your options, complete required forms, and make an informed decision about paying for your education.
Learn MorePrivate Loans & Scholarships
In addition to federal financial aid, some APU students choose to explore private education loans or external scholarships to help fund their studies. We encourage all students to first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal student aid before considering private options. Be sure to research lenders carefully, compare terms, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
Learn MoreMilitary & Veterans Benefits
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Apply to the Business Administration Associate Degree Program Today
- No Entrance Exams No SAT® or ACT® required for undergraduate programs10
- No Application Fee For undergraduate courses
- Courses Start Monthly Enroll now, start next month
- All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
Learn More About APU’s Online Business Program
An Associate of Arts in Business Administration provides an educational foundation for students seeking an introduction to the business. Courses cover fundamental concepts that apply to virtually all industries. For instance, students explore the core principles of:
- Accounting
- Economics
- Marketing
- Finance
- Management
An Associate of Arts focuses on soft skills. For instance, coursework emphasizes communication, creativity, and critical thinking. These skills typically apply to the customer service, marketing, and sales fields.
Alternatively, an Associate of Science may focus on hard skills, technical abilities, and quantitative reasoning. Coursework may help students prepare to navigate responsibilities involving accounting, analytics, and budgeting.
You should choose a degree program that aligns with your unique strengths, interests, and goals.
Time: An Associate of Arts will take about two years of full-time study to complete. It demonstrates to employers that you are serious about advancing your knowledge. Also, it enhances your ability to solve business problems and serves as a stepping stone for entry into a bachelor’s degree program.
Alternatively, a BBA will take approximately four years of full-time study to finish.
Cost: Because it is shorter in duration, the associate’s degree is less costly than the bachelor’s degree.
Depth: The BBA is a bachelor’s degree and represents next-level learning. It provides more advanced knowledge of principles and practices, preparing students to contribute to the business environment in more meaningful ways.
Future Goals: Some professional responsibilities require a bachelor’s degree. However, if you are eager to enter the business world, many companies provide hands-on training and mentoring, so an associate program may be adequate. Be certain to align your goals with market demands as you consider each degree path.
With more than 200 career-relevant degrees and certificates, APU makes online education accessible and affordable.
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Consumer Information
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
